Total: 6

Bio:

Bio:

James Jacob Lawcewicz was born in Saint Louis, Missouri to parents who had recently immigrated from Poland. James’ mother cared for him while working as a seamstress, and his father laboured in the garment factories downtown. When James was five, his father took him to see the mighty Mississippi river where he saw the barges and dock workers and a nearby Coast Guard cutter. He instantly fell in love with the water and grew up playing with boats when other boys were playing with cars and toy planes. Growing up, James worked in the loading docks at the factories, benefiting greatly from his natural size and bulk, and earning the nickname “Porter” on account of the massive loads he was known to carry. When he turned 18, he enlisted in the Coast Guard.

During boot camp, James learned to box and earned himself a bit of a reputation as a fighter, upon graduation he was pulled into the Coast Guard’s boxing program and transfered to Galveston Seaport where he both trained and learned to work aboard ships on patrol in the Gulf of Mexico. He requested a transfer to an ocean-going vessel in 1940 and found himself aboard the USCGC Bibb of the shores of Iceland. There he honed his shipcraft and made more of a reputation for himself as an armed boarding party member.

James loved his life at sea, but his reputation as a boxer followed him, and in 1941 he was purloined by the renowned Gene Tunney to become an instructor at the US Navy Physical Training Program. Initially resentful of this, James eventually made his peace and found great enjoyment in training other soldiers. Still, he longed for the open sea and a chance to truly contribute directly to the United States’ war effort. When the opportunity for Observer Group came, he and several of “Tunney’s Fish” jumped at the opportunity – forming the core of what would eventually be the first class of United States Navy Scouts and Raiders.

Operation Torch, Operation Brushwood:Fedala
- Overcoming foul weather conditions, Lawcewicz’s Scout Boat crew made their way to the beach at Fedala and established their signal beacons. They made the decision to remain on the beach rather than returning to sea rationalizing that the storm might knock out the signal lights if left untended, and that if they put to sea in their small craft, they might be blown out of position and thus unable to properly guide in the assault boats. It is because of this decision that Operation Brushwood was such a success despite its initial delay. Once the weather cleared, assault forces were able to quickly approach and disembark while Lawcewicz and his fellow Scouts and Raiders guided them in and assisted with directing beach traffic.

Operation Husky: Sicily
-Making use of British Cockle boats, Lawcewicz and his fellow Scout and Raider crewmen slipped onto the beach at Licata, established safe lanes for ingress, and subsequently guided in the assault boats.

Navy Cross Citation:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Chief Petty Officer James J. Lawcewicz, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as a Navy Scout in action against enemy forces during the amphibious assault on the Island of Sicily on 8 August 1943. Having contributed significantly to the initial amphibious landing at Licata, Chief Petty Officer Lawcewicz volunteered for special duty guiding in the amphibious assault on Santa Agata and San Fratello. From August 6-8, Lawcewics scouted the coastal region north of San Fratell, placing explosive devices to clear a landing zone for the ampibious strike force. Knowing that the detonations would give away the intended surprise assault, Lawcewicz remained ashore once the devices were placed, guided the LSTs to the appropriate beach, and detonated his charges at the last possible moment. Holding his position to continue guiding the incoming boats, Chief Petty Officer Lawcewicz was wounded five times from machine gun fire and shrapnel, yet continued in his duties until relieved after the beach head had been taken. The conduct of Chief Petty Officer Lawcewicz reflects great credit upon himself, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Rehabilitation:
Recovering from his serious wounds recieved on the beach at Santa Agata, James desperately longed to rejoin his crews in the invasion of Italy and subsequently China. Nonetheless, it took nearly a full year before he was declared combat ready, despite his dogged effort and excellent physical shape prior to being wounded. By this time, his Scout and Raider squad had been KIA at Salerno, and the rest of his class had been transfered away from the Mediterranean theater, their ranks filled from new classes in preparation for new operations .

James was at a loss. A man with incredible skill and a drive to use it, he found himself with no unit, no mission, and only a sense of both having abandoned his crewmates and also having been left behind by them. When the opportunity came to volunteer for Operation Undertow, Porter jumped at it both for something to do, and perhaps a chance at self redemption.